"You gotta make that arm last long" - Olivia Dunne addresses Pirates manager's call to remove boyfriend Paul Skenes from no-hitter after seven innings
Pittsburg Pirates rookie sensation Paul Skenes was on the verge of history before he was removed from the mound against the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday. Skenes' girlfriend Olivia Dunne touched upon the incident at the 2024 ESPY Awards.
Paul Skenes was in his element during his team's clash against the Brewers at American Family Field. Skenes went seven innings, without allowing a hit and striking out 11. He was on the cusp of a no-hitter before Pirates manager Derek Shelton opted to pull Skenes.
Shelton's decision raised a few eyebrows as Skenes was on the cusp of an unprecedented feat. Skenes' girlfriend Olivia Dunne also shared similar sentiments.
"It would have been a cool accolade to say that you threw a no-hitter in your rookie year," Dunne said at the ESPY Awards.
However, the LSU star also acknowledged Shelton's decision to pull out Skenes after throwing 99 pitches in order to preserve the rookie's arm.
She said:
"But also, you gotta make that arm last long. So I don't blame them (Pirates for pulling Skenes)."
When asked if Skenes is the best pitcher in the MLB, Dunne had a big smile on her face, while stating the obvious.
"I'm a little biased, Yes," Dunne said before breaking into a laugh.
Olivia Dunne addresses her obsession with baseball
Olivia Dunne is arguably one of the most popular LSU athletes thanks to her incredible fan following. While fans are in awe of the power couple, Dunne revealed obsessing over baseball since Paul Skenes' Major League Debut.
"I'm gonna admit it. I'm a crazy baseball girlfriend," Dunne said. "I never thought I'd watch this much baseball in my life, but I've tuned into every game. I try to go to as many as possible. Just to watch him do his thing is inspiring."
While the Pirates rookie has already made a name for himself because of his serious demeanor, Dunne dismissed the notion with her statement.
"A lot of people think he's very serious. He's really not," Dunne said.
Skenes earned his All-Star selection earlier this month, becoming the first pitcher to make it to the Midsummer Classic in the same year he was drafted. Earlier this week, the Pirates rookies was named the National League starter for the All-Star game on July 16 in Arlington.